The new initial conditions of registration and changes to application requirements are aimed at ensuring that institutions that register are ready to deliver high quality higher education and treat their students fairly, the Office for Students says. The reformed conditions follow consultation in February on new approaches to fairness and effective governance. The new initial conditions of registration – conditions C5, E7, E8 and E9 – will come into force on 28 August 2025. The OfS has published separate documents explaining each new condition, a “prohibited behaviours” list, a consultation outcomes document and details of how to register. To access the article click here

Some foundation years now attract less funding – David Kernohan crunches the numbers to find out what this has done to the market. The coming academic year (2025-26) is the first in which classroom-based foundation year (FY) fees will be capped at a level below the higher level fee cap. To access the article click here

An interesting look at why Britain is not internationally compliant. If you believe – as many do – that English higher education is among the best in the world, it can come as an unwelcome surprise to learn that in many ways it is not. To access the Blog click here

It’s easy to roll your eyes over the input of students to APPs. Marta Almeida Hill and Francesca Plom explain how to co-create widening participation strategy with those it impacts.

Across the sector, there’s growing consensus that higher education institutions must not only listen to their students but actively build institutions around their insights and experiences.

Yet, for all the best intentions and sincere efforts, turning student feedback into meaningful, institution-wide change remains a challenge. To access the Blog click here